FirstAnnounce – January 12, 2025

 

Sunday Worship,

January 12th, 2025

at 10:30 am

Supply and Demand

Rev. Mike Morran

Join us on January 12th at 10:30 am.  Spirituality and Economics are both esoteric enough to require models, containers, or metaphors to understand them. This Sunday we’ll have some fun exploring how these overlap, or not!

We warmly invite you to join us in person, or if you prefer, you can also participate online. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Our service streams to Youtube and Zoom (meeting ID is 466-677-668 and the password is 454623).

Join us for coffee in the Community Room after the service. 

Sunday, January 12 at noon – Congregational Meeting

(Thanks to Coral Cosway for the post)

Ordination of Lia Davis as Minister of Music!

First Unitarian will hold a special congregational meeting on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at noon in the Sanctuary. At this meeting, our congregation will vote on whether to ordain Lia Davis as our Minister of Music.

You can join via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86991196497

In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, the right of ordination, that is, the authority to ordain someone to the ministry, is reserved exclusively for local congregations. The Board of Trustees has authorized a special meeting to consider Lia’s ordination.

Lia has been doing extraordinary music ministry with us for nearly seventeen and a half years. Her musical gifts are obvious and deeply appreciated. She has also demonstrated personal gifts of presence and service far beyond the music she plans and performs. Lia has visited members who were homebound or in nursing homes to play for them. She has nurtured many relationships in the congregation. Also, during the pandemic she broadcast weekly musical improvisational meditations. The congregation has grown to love and trust her for the extraordinary ministry that her presence and music provides.

If the congregation votes to approve Lia’s ordination, it would be a powerful affirmation of her work with our church, changing her job title from Director of Music to Minister of Music. Her ordination would take place in the Spring.

Please plan to attend this special meeting on January 12. Similar to our annual meetings, we need a quorum of First Unitarian members at the meeting in order to vote. This meeting will be streamed with a Zoom link available so that those who wish to vote remotely will be able to do so.

Questions about the special meeting and the proposal to ordain Lia can be directed to Coral Cosway at President@fusden.org or 720-413-6298.

Miriam’s Book Table is Proud to Feature…

(Thanks to the Nan Wigington for the post)

new volunteers like you.

Not sure who or what Miriam’s book table is? We are the church’s “bookstore”. You probably see us on your way to service or to coffee hour. We’re there to help you to learn about our church and to spark connection and conversation. We carry a broad spectrum of books from the UUA and from secular publishers. We are a shoe string organization that relies on you. We need your patronage, your book suggestions, your volunteer time to staff our “store”. Won’t you please consider signing up for one or two shifts behind the table? You will be trained and appreciated!

Children’s Religious Exploration Programming

Religious Exploration News

(Thanks to the Leslie Harvey for the post)

Mark your calendars: Family Friendly Fun: Spontaneous Talent Show and potluck on February 1st 5:30-7:30 pm.

Do you know any middle schoolers who would be interested in our Youth Program? You can enroll them in Breeze with this form. Unfortunately, we do not have enough volunteers to start in January. Current projected start date for the Youth Program (6th-8th graders) is March 2nd. This will be updated as we recruit more volunteers.

Currently seeking volunteers who are interested in serving in our Youth classrooms! We are looking for folks to facilitate lessons on world religions and to facilitate student-led fun. If you are interested in investing in the future of FUSD by serving in our Youth program, please contact Leslie at msleslie@fusden.org or complete this form in Breeze to get the process started.

First Unitarian Events Coming Soon

Needed – Martin Luther King Day POINT Person

(Thanks to Peggy Ulrich-Nims for the post)

First Unitarian is on the lookout for an enthusiastic point person to spearhead the First Unitarian Society of Denver (FUSD) involvement in the 2025 MLK Day Marade on Monday, January 20, 2025. The Marade—a blend of a march and a parade—celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., combining the power of activism with the joy of community celebration. It’s a unique opportunity to honor his vision and unite with others in shared purpose and remembrance.

Interested or have questions? Contact Karen Derrick-Davis at Karenderrickdavis@gmail.com to learn more and volunteer. Here are a few things this volunteer will need to take care of!

Pre-Marade Duties

  1. Serve a pre-event contact person
  2. Select a time and place to meet (at FUSD or City Park)
  3. Obtain and assemble the church marching banner
  4. Publicize the Marade
  5. Provide contact cell number for participants

Day-of Marade Duties:

  1. Obtain assembled banner from First Unit Office
  2. Meet at designated spot and walk the Marade route
  3. Return banner to FUSD

Stewardship Ambassadors Needed!

(Thanks to Richard Erickson for the post)

Our Annual Pledge Campaign kicks off on February 23rd. This year we require ~50 Stewardship Ambassadors so we can contact every member and friend of FUSD. If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity with a minimal time commitment, this may be for you. You will be asked to contact 4-5 people to make sure they have received their pledge packets and answer their questions.

Find out more by visiting the Stewardship Council table in the Community Room after the service or contacting Jason at stewardship@fusden.org

Lunch Bunch Potluck – Friday, January 10th, at 11:45 am

Everyone is invited to our monthly potluck, Lunch Bunch, on the second Friday of the month. We gather at First Unitarian Society of Denver around 11:45 a.m. to set up, and we generally ring the lunch bell at 12. If you don’t have more than an hour, just come at noon and join us. The food is always delicious, and the company is stimulating.

Family CORE Circle

(Thanks to Beverly Bravo for the post)

Family friendly potluck and CORE Circle in which parents of school-age children may bond and form lasting friendships while their children are engaged in the sanctuary and gently supervised by older church members. Fun for everyone!!

The next meeting is Friday, January 17th at 6:00 pm in the Community Room.

Memorial – Ed and Jane Wasson

There will be a joint memorial for Jane and Ed Wasson on Saturday, January 25th at 1:00 pm here at First Unitarian of Denver.

Jane Wasson, a beloved member of First Unitary passed away on November 28. Jane’s husband Ed, passed away in February 2024. An obituary for Jane can be viewed here.

Mark Oblinger in Concert

(Thanks to Lia Davis for the post)

Capitol Hill Concerts presents Mark Oblinger on Saturday, January 25th at 7 pm. Mark will bring his soulful, eclectic blend of indie/folk/pop to First Unitarian’s sanctuary stage, along with very special guest vocalist Robert Johnson, singer/ keyboardist and co-writer Linda Lawson, eTown drummer/singer Christian Teele, bassist Eric Thorin, and multi-instrumentalist Eric Moon on lap steel, keys, accordion and vocals. A portion of the proceeds from this concert will benefit Food For Thought. Their vision is to create a community where weekend hunger is no longer a barrier to a child’s education and success. Read more & purchase tickets here.

Leadership Development Training – 1/26 and 2/9

(Thanks to Patrick Whorton and Tess Dieringer for the post)

PLEASE RSVP by JANUARY 19 for the Upcoming Leadership Training Sessions on January 26 and February 9 in the Rose Chapel from 12:00 to 2-2:30 pm.

Click this link to register: https://firstunitariandenver.breezechms.com/form/d4541295

This two-part training conducted by Rich Hogeboom will include:

• Running an Effective Meeting

• Managing Conflict

• Team Building

These sessions are interactive and designed for in-person participation, so they won’t be recorded or available virtually. All are welcome, so please RSVP no later than January 19 so we can plan accordingly.

Click here to register.

The Leadership Development Committee is working hard to provide meaningful training and support. We hope these efforts will build committee confidence, foster participation, and support our shared ministry philosophy.

Thank you for your dedication to this community and for being part of this journey with us!

In the Spirit of Shared Ministry,

Patrick Whorton and Tess Dieringer

Co-Chairs, Leadership Development Committee

Finding Yourself at First Unitarian Denver!

(Thanks to Rev. Mike Morran for the post)

A time for seekers, the curious, and those wishing to connect with the 1st Unitarian Denver community! This participatory class of three hours will provide an introduction to Unitarian Universalism and First Unitarian Church. An added bonus is that you will meet some wonderful people! Facilitated by Rev. Mike Morran, Saturday, February 1st, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. All are welcome, but you must pre-register with Rev. Mike (revmorran@gmail.com).

Announcements

FUSE Task Force Wants to Hear From You!

(Thanks to Leslie Harvey for the post)

The First Unitarian Seeking Engagement (FUSE) Task Force is working towards creating a more engaging culture for welcoming new members and visitors to FUSD. We are reaching out to all congregants for your feedback and ideas. If you have suggestions, please click on this form. You do not need to answer all of the questions; simply choose a few that resonate with you. Thank you!

Hiring – Maintenance/Custodian

First Unitarian Society of Denver is seeking a part-time Building Custodian (15 hours per week) to join our team starting in January 2025. Please click here to view the full job description.

To apply, submit cover letter and your resume to Rhonda Williamson at office@fusden.org.

Hiring – Interim Choir Director/Song Leader

(Thanks to Rev. Mike Morran for the post)

First Unitarian Society of Denver, an urban congregation of over 300 members, is looking to hire a part-time Interim Choir Director/Song Leader for the period of January through May, 2025. Our choir of 20-25 members rehearses weekly, and performs twice each month at Sunday morning services. Experience conducting choirs, and the ability to work collaboratively with a small staff team is essential. This position is approximately 14 hours per week and includes Sunday mornings. Applicants are encouraged to respond as soon as possible. Please send a resume and brief cover letter to Revmorran@gmail.com. A full job description is available HERE

Labyrinth

(Thanks to Coral Cosway for the post)

Dennis Grogan and Tina Proctor have generously donated their large labyrinth to our community. Members, friends and visitors of FUSD have experienced walking the labyrinth, as well as expert guidance from Dennis and Tina, during many services and events. We are honored to give this beautiful labyrinth a new home. If you are interested in using it for your event at FUSD, please contact Rhonda Williamson at office@fusden.org. Thank you Dennis and Tina! [photo attached – this is in the sanctuary prior to the renovation]

Local Unitarian Universalists News

Sacred Earth, Sacred Action

Saturday, February 8th, 1-7 pm MST and Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 7-8:30 pm. Iliff School of Theology, Shattuck Hall

Sacred Earth, Sacred Action (SESA), brings together environmental scientists, theologians, poets, and faith leaders to inspire meaningful change within communities of faith and activism in the Rocky Mountains and beyond.

In person and live-streamed. Register here.

The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community

Unitarian Universalist Holiday Message

The Unitarian Unitarian Association December Newsletter click here.

We Gather With Love: A Holiday Message From UUA President Sofía Betancourt
video

Pacific Western Region – Happy Holidays

The Pacific Western Region of the Unitarian Universalists, Holiday Blog.

The Pacific Western Region staff wish you, your family, and communities a very Happy Holidays! Your presence in our world is a blessing! May the season be a blessing to you!

The UUA will be closed December 20th-January 5th- we will be back at work on January 6th. If there is an emergency, please send an email to your primary contact which will give you who to contact during the holiday or complete our Partnership Activation Request form.

If you would like to start thinking about 2025 consider checking out our Community Resilience Hub. It has great resources, tools, and general support for your congregation and community.

We will bring more opportunities for connection and support in the new year with our spring program: Responding to Now: A PWR Series which will have one session each month on a topic responding to the challenges of our current times.

May you find love and connection this holiday season!

Sunshine, Hara, Melanie, Mylo, Melissa, Sam, Sarah, Summer, and Tania

UUCW Trip to NYC

(Thanks to Kathy Glatz for the post)

UN Spring Seminar During Commission on Status of Women (CSW). March 15-16, 2025 in NYC

Led by International Convocation of UU Women (ICUUW) deadline registration:1/15/25.

Zoom session on Friday, Dec 6, 10 am EST which will give you more information and offer a chance to ask questions about the seminar, CSW, and registration.

Email questions to springseminar2025@icuuw.

First Unitarian Society of Denver Information

First Unitarian – Hearing Assistance in Sanctuary

Our Sanctuary has a hearing loop. This allows us to better serve the people in our community who have trouble hearing. If you are hearing impaired, you will be able to hear what is said at the worship services and other events with better clarity.

What is a hearing loop and how does it work? Hearing Loops allow people who wear hearing aids to directly receive the sound from the PA system to their own hearing aids, much like Wi-Fi for laptops. To hear better, you will no longer have to pick up a separate listening device!

Do my hearing aids work in a loop?If you wear hearing instruments you will need to find out if they have this wireless receiver, called a T-coil or Telecoil, built in to benefit from the hearing loop. The T-coil program is accessed by pushing a button on your hearing aid. This T-coil setting has to be activated before use. Please consult your audiologist if you have a push button on your hearing aids. If your hearing aid is not equipped with a T-coil, or you do not have a hearing aid: we have listening devices available, simply ask a member of our staff.

For more information: www.hearingloop.org. For questions about your hearing aids, please visit your audiologist. For questions about our hearing loop system, please email: Assist2Hear. Inc at: info@assist2hear.com.

First Unitarian – Calendaring and Room Reservations

(Thanks to Rhonda Williamson, Congregational Administrator, for the post)

To Request an event addition to the First Unitarian calendar and to request a room reservation:

  • To add a meeting or event to the Church Calendar and reserve a room:
  1. Check the church calendar on the website to see if there are any conflicts. There is a link on each page of the website in the black area at the bottom, under ‘Useful links’
  2. Complete the following form to request that your event be added to the calendar and to request a room reservation. https://firstunitariandenver.breezechms.com/form/45698258 

First Unitarian – Communication Methods How To’s

(Thanks to Rhonda Williamson, Congregational Administrator, for the post)

First Announce: A weekly church newsletter sent out by blast email Thursday evenings. (Also found on the website.) Deadline for entries is Tuesday end of day. 

Order of Service: The handout given at each Sunday service – giving service details, and upcoming church events Request deadline is Thursday at 8:00 am.

Please complete the form at the link below to submit announcements for either or both First Announce and Order of Service – select both options on the form. https://firstunitariandenver.breezechms.com/form/e50206

Parking

Finding a place to park when you come to visit our urban sanctuary can be a bit of a challenge! We recommend the following tactics/locations:

  • Sundays 6a-1p: 3 blocks of the north side of 14th Avenue (Marion St. to just before Franklin St. – please abide by the street parking signs)
  • Sundays 6a-1p: The Center at Colfax and Lafayette
  • Sundays 6a-1p: (42 parking spaces) The Alta Court lot, across Lafayette from the church. Cars with a First Unitarian Church (FUSD) hangtag or paper parking pass on the dashboard, may park in the spaces farthest away from Colfax.
  • Monday through Friday, 6 pm to 8 am: (22 parking spaces) The Alta Court lot, across Lafayette from the church. Cars with a First Unitarian Church (FUSD) hangtag or paper parking pass on the dashboard, may park in the spaces farthest away from Colfax.
  • Friday 6 pm to Monday 8 am (22 parking spaces, except Sunday morning, see above. The Alta Court lot, across Lafayette from the church. Cars with a First Unitarian Church (FUSD) hangtag or paper parking pass on the dashboard, may park in the spaces farthest away from Colfax.
  • If you have any questions or need a parking pass, contact Rhonda at office@fusden.org. Parking passes can also be obtained from the Greeters on Sunday morning.

QuickDirectory

Questions About Pledging? Jason Marsden – stewardship@fusden.org

Candles of Community – candles@fusden.org

Caring Committee – caring@fusden.org

Volunteer Greeters – greeters@fusden.org

Connections Ministry – connectionsministry@fusden.org

Office/FirstAnnounce/Rhonda Williamson – office@fusden.org

Religious Exploration – Leslie Harvey – msleslie@fusden.org

Giving in Action – givinginaction@fusden.org

Mental Well-being – wellbeing@fusden.org

 Car Donations – 877-999-8322

 FirstAnnounce is a compilation of news items sent to us from many different sources. Items printed in FirstAnnounce are for your information only and do not necessarily represent the views of First Unitarian Society of Denver or its members. Publication deadline is 5:00pm on Tuesday.
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Sunday Worship,

January 12th, 2025

at 10:30 am

Supply and Demand

Rev. Mike Morran

Join us on January 12th at 10:30 am.  Spirituality and Economics are both esoteric enough to require models, containers, or metaphors to understand them. This Sunday we’ll have some fun exploring how these overlap, or not!

We warmly invite you to join us in person, or if you prefer, you can also participate online. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Our service streams to Youtube and Zoom (meeting ID is 466-677-668 and the password is 454623).

Join us for coffee in the Community Room after the service. 

Sunday, January 12 at noon – Congregational Meeting

(Thanks to Coral Cosway for the post)

Ordination of Lia Davis as Minister of Music!

First Unitarian will hold a special congregational meeting on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at noon in the Sanctuary. At this meeting, our congregation will vote on whether to ordain Lia Davis as our Minister of Music.

You can join via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86991196497

In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, the right of ordination, that is, the authority to ordain someone to the ministry, is reserved exclusively for local congregations. The Board of Trustees has authorized a special meeting to consider Lia’s ordination.

Lia has been doing extraordinary music ministry with us for nearly seventeen and a half years. Her musical gifts are obvious and deeply appreciated. She has also demonstrated personal gifts of presence and service far beyond the music she plans and performs. Lia has visited members who were homebound or in nursing homes to play for them. She has nurtured many relationships in the congregation. Also, during the pandemic she broadcast weekly musical improvisational meditations. The congregation has grown to love and trust her for the extraordinary ministry that her presence and music provides.

If the congregation votes to approve Lia’s ordination, it would be a powerful affirmation of her work with our church, changing her job title from Director of Music to Minister of Music. Her ordination would take place in the Spring.

Please plan to attend this special meeting on January 12. Similar to our annual meetings, we need a quorum of First Unitarian members at the meeting in order to vote. This meeting will be streamed with a Zoom link available so that those who wish to vote remotely will be able to do so.

Questions about the special meeting and the proposal to ordain Lia can be directed to Coral Cosway at President@fusden.org or 720-413-6298.

Miriam’s Book Table is Proud to Feature…

(Thanks to the Nan Wigington for the post)

new volunteers like you.

Not sure who or what Miriam’s book table is? We are the church’s “bookstore”. You probably see us on your way to service or to coffee hour. We’re there to help you to learn about our church and to spark connection and conversation. We carry a broad spectrum of books from the UUA and from secular publishers. We are a shoe string organization that relies on you. We need your patronage, your book suggestions, your volunteer time to staff our “store”. Won’t you please consider signing up for one or two shifts behind the table? You will be trained and appreciated!

Children’s Religious Exploration Programming

Religious Exploration News

(Thanks to the Leslie Harvey for the post)

Mark your calendars: Family Friendly Fun: Spontaneous Talent Show and potluck on February 1st 5:30-7:30 pm.

Do you know any middle schoolers who would be interested in our Youth Program? You can enroll them in Breeze with this form. Unfortunately, we do not have enough volunteers to start in January. Current projected start date for the Youth Program (6th-8th graders) is March 2nd. This will be updated as we recruit more volunteers.

Currently seeking volunteers who are interested in serving in our Youth classrooms! We are looking for folks to facilitate lessons on world religions and to facilitate student-led fun. If you are interested in investing in the future of FUSD by serving in our Youth program, please contact Leslie at msleslie@fusden.org or complete this form in Breeze to get the process started.

First Unitarian Events Coming Soon

Needed – Martin Luther King Day POINT Person

(Thanks to Peggy Ulrich-Nims for the post)

First Unitarian is on the lookout for an enthusiastic point person to spearhead the First Unitarian Society of Denver (FUSD) involvement in the 2025 MLK Day Marade on Monday, January 20, 2025. The Marade—a blend of a march and a parade—celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., combining the power of activism with the joy of community celebration. It’s a unique opportunity to honor his vision and unite with others in shared purpose and remembrance.

Interested or have questions? Contact Karen Derrick-Davis at Karenderrickdavis@gmail.com to learn more and volunteer. Here are a few things this volunteer will need to take care of!

Pre-Marade Duties

  1. Serve a pre-event contact person
  2. Select a time and place to meet (at FUSD or City Park)
  3. Obtain and assemble the church marching banner
  4. Publicize the Marade
  5. Provide contact cell number for participants

Day-of Marade Duties:

  1. Obtain assembled banner from First Unit Office
  2. Meet at designated spot and walk the Marade route
  3. Return banner to FUSD

Stewardship Ambassadors Needed!

(Thanks to Richard Erickson for the post)

Our Annual Pledge Campaign kicks off on February 23rd. This year we require ~50 Stewardship Ambassadors so we can contact every member and friend of FUSD. If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity with a minimal time commitment, this may be for you. You will be asked to contact 4-5 people to make sure they have received their pledge packets and answer their questions.

Find out more by visiting the Stewardship Council table in the Community Room after the service or contacting Jason at stewardship@fusden.org

Lunch Bunch Potluck – Friday, January 10th, at 11:45 am

Everyone is invited to our monthly potluck, Lunch Bunch, on the second Friday of the month. We gather at First Unitarian Society of Denver around 11:45 a.m. to set up, and we generally ring the lunch bell at 12. If you don’t have more than an hour, just come at noon and join us. The food is always delicious, and the company is stimulating.

Family CORE Circle

(Thanks to Beverly Bravo for the post)

Family friendly potluck and CORE Circle in which parents of school-age children may bond and form lasting friendships while their children are engaged in the sanctuary and gently supervised by older church members. Fun for everyone!!

The next meeting is Friday, January 17th at 6:00 pm in the Community Room.

Memorial – Ed and Jane Wasson

There will be a joint memorial for Jane and Ed Wasson on Saturday, January 25th at 1:00 pm here at First Unitarian of Denver.

Jane Wasson, a beloved member of First Unitary passed away on November 28. Jane’s husband Ed, passed away in February 2024. An obituary for Jane can be viewed here.

Mark Oblinger in Concert

(Thanks to Lia Davis for the post)

Capitol Hill Concerts presents Mark Oblinger on Saturday, January 25th at 7 pm. Mark will bring his soulful, eclectic blend of indie/folk/pop to First Unitarian’s sanctuary stage, along with very special guest vocalist Robert Johnson, singer/ keyboardist and co-writer Linda Lawson, eTown drummer/singer Christian Teele, bassist Eric Thorin, and multi-instrumentalist Eric Moon on lap steel, keys, accordion and vocals. A portion of the proceeds from this concert will benefit Food For Thought. Their vision is to create a community where weekend hunger is no longer a barrier to a child’s education and success. Read more & purchase tickets here.

Leadership Development Training – 1/26 and 2/9

(Thanks to Patrick Whorton and Tess Dieringer for the post)

PLEASE RSVP by JANUARY 19 for the Upcoming Leadership Training Sessions on January 26 and February 9 in the Rose Chapel from 12:00 to 2-2:30 pm.

Click this link to register: https://firstunitariandenver.breezechms.com/form/d4541295

This two-part training conducted by Rich Hogeboom will include:

• Running an Effective Meeting

• Managing Conflict

• Team Building

These sessions are interactive and designed for in-person participation, so they won’t be recorded or available virtually. All are welcome, so please RSVP no later than January 19 so we can plan accordingly.

Click here to register.

The Leadership Development Committee is working hard to provide meaningful training and support. We hope these efforts will build committee confidence, foster participation, and support our shared ministry philosophy.

Thank you for your dedication to this community and for being part of this journey with us!

In the Spirit of Shared Ministry,

Patrick Whorton and Tess Dieringer

Co-Chairs, Leadership Development Committee

Finding Yourself at First Unitarian Denver!

(Thanks to Rev. Mike Morran for the post)

A time for seekers, the curious, and those wishing to connect with the 1st Unitarian Denver community! This participatory class of three hours will provide an introduction to Unitarian Universalism and First Unitarian Church. An added bonus is that you will meet some wonderful people! Facilitated by Rev. Mike Morran, Saturday, February 1st, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. All are welcome, but you must pre-register with Rev. Mike (revmorran@gmail.com).

Announcements

FUSE Task Force Wants to Hear From You!

(Thanks to Leslie Harvey for the post)

The First Unitarian Seeking Engagement (FUSE) Task Force is working towards creating a more engaging culture for welcoming new members and visitors to FUSD. We are reaching out to all congregants for your feedback and ideas. If you have suggestions, please click on this form. You do not need to answer all of the questions; simply choose a few that resonate with you. Thank you!

Hiring – Maintenance/Custodian

First Unitarian Society of Denver is seeking a part-time Building Custodian (15 hours per week) to join our team starting in January 2025. Please click here to view the full job description.

To apply, submit cover letter and your resume to Rhonda Williamson at office@fusden.org.

Hiring – Interim Choir Director/Song Leader

(Thanks to Rev. Mike Morran for the post)

First Unitarian Society of Denver, an urban congregation of over 300 members, is looking to hire a part-time Interim Choir Director/Song Leader for the period of January through May, 2025. Our choir of 20-25 members rehearses weekly, and performs twice each month at Sunday morning services. Experience conducting choirs, and the ability to work collaboratively with a small staff team is essential. This position is approximately 14 hours per week and includes Sunday mornings. Applicants are encouraged to respond as soon as possible. Please send a resume and brief cover letter to Revmorran@gmail.com. A full job description is available HERE

Labyrinth

(Thanks to Coral Cosway for the post)

Dennis Grogan and Tina Proctor have generously donated their large labyrinth to our community. Members, friends and visitors of FUSD have experienced walking the labyrinth, as well as expert guidance from Dennis and Tina, during many services and events. We are honored to give this beautiful labyrinth a new home. If you are interested in using it for your event at FUSD, please contact Rhonda Williamson at office@fusden.org. Thank you Dennis and Tina! [photo attached – this is in the sanctuary prior to the renovation]

Local Unitarian Universalists News

Sacred Earth, Sacred Action

Saturday, February 8th, 1-7 pm MST and Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 7-8:30 pm. Iliff School of Theology, Shattuck Hall

Sacred Earth, Sacred Action (SESA), brings together environmental scientists, theologians, poets, and faith leaders to inspire meaningful change within communities of faith and activism in the Rocky Mountains and beyond.

In person and live-streamed. Register here.

The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community

Unitarian Universalist Holiday Message

The Unitarian Unitarian Association December Newsletter click here.

We Gather With Love: A Holiday Message From UUA President Sofía Betancourt
video

Pacific Western Region – Happy Holidays

The Pacific Western Region of the Unitarian Universalists, Holiday Blog.

The Pacific Western Region staff wish you, your family, and communities a very Happy Holidays! Your presence in our world is a blessing! May the season be a blessing to you!

The UUA will be closed December 20th-January 5th- we will be back at work on January 6th. If there is an emergency, please send an email to your primary contact which will give you who to contact during the holiday or complete our Partnership Activation Request form.

If you would like to start thinking about 2025 consider checking out our Community Resilience Hub. It has great resources, tools, and general support for your congregation and community.

We will bring more opportunities for connection and support in the new year with our spring program: Responding to Now: A PWR Series which will have one session each month on a topic responding to the challenges of our current times.

May you find love and connection this holiday season!

Sunshine, Hara, Melanie, Mylo, Melissa, Sam, Sarah, Summer, and Tania

UUCW Trip to NYC

(Thanks to Kathy Glatz for the post)

UN Spring Seminar During Commission on Status of Women (CSW). March 15-16, 2025 in NYC

Led by International Convocation of UU Women (ICUUW) deadline registration:1/15/25.

Zoom session on Friday, Dec 6, 10 am EST which will give you more information and offer a chance to ask questions about the seminar, CSW, and registration.

Email questions to springseminar2025@icuuw.

First Unitarian Society of Denver Information

First Unitarian – Hearing Assistance in Sanctuary

Our Sanctuary has a hearing loop. This allows us to better serve the people in our community who have trouble hearing. If you are hearing impaired, you will be able to hear what is said at the worship services and other events with better clarity.

What is a hearing loop and how does it work? Hearing Loops allow people who wear hearing aids to directly receive the sound from the PA system to their own hearing aids, much like Wi-Fi for laptops. To hear better, you will no longer have to pick up a separate listening device!

Do my hearing aids work in a loop?If you wear hearing instruments you will need to find out if they have this wireless receiver, called a T-coil or Telecoil, built in to benefit from the hearing loop. The T-coil program is accessed by pushing a button on your hearing aid. This T-coil setting has to be activated before use. Please consult your audiologist if you have a push button on your hearing aids. If your hearing aid is not equipped with a T-coil, or you do not have a hearing aid: we have listening devices available, simply ask a member of our staff.

For more information: www.hearingloop.org. For questions about your hearing aids, please visit your audiologist. For questions about our hearing loop system, please email: Assist2Hear. Inc at: info@assist2hear.com.

First Unitarian – Calendaring and Room Reservations

(Thanks to Rhonda Williamson, Congregational Administrator, for the post)

To Request an event addition to the First Unitarian calendar and to request a room reservation:

  • To add a meeting or event to the Church Calendar and reserve a room:
  1. Check the church calendar on the website to see if there are any conflicts. There is a link on each page of the website in the black area at the bottom, under ‘Useful links’
  2. Complete the following form to request that your event be added to the calendar and to request a room reservation. https://firstunitariandenver.breezechms.com/form/45698258 

First Unitarian – Communication Methods How To’s

(Thanks to Rhonda Williamson, Congregational Administrator, for the post)

First Announce: A weekly church newsletter sent out by blast email Thursday evenings. (Also found on the website.) Deadline for entries is Tuesday end of day. 

Order of Service: The handout given at each Sunday service – giving service details, and upcoming church events Request deadline is Thursday at 8:00 am.

Please complete the form at the link below to submit announcements for either or both First Announce and Order of Service – select both options on the form. https://firstunitariandenver.breezechms.com/form/e50206

Parking

Finding a place to park when you come to visit our urban sanctuary can be a bit of a challenge! We recommend the following tactics/locations:

  • Sundays 6a-1p: 3 blocks of the north side of 14th Avenue (Marion St. to just before Franklin St. – please abide by the street parking signs)
  • Sundays 6a-1p: The Center at Colfax and Lafayette
  • Sundays 6a-1p: (42 parking spaces) The Alta Court lot, across Lafayette from the church. Cars with a First Unitarian Church (FUSD) hangtag or paper parking pass on the dashboard, may park in the spaces farthest away from Colfax.
  • Monday through Friday, 6 pm to 8 am: (22 parking spaces) The Alta Court lot, across Lafayette from the church. Cars with a First Unitarian Church (FUSD) hangtag or paper parking pass on the dashboard, may park in the spaces farthest away from Colfax.
  • Friday 6 pm to Monday 8 am (22 parking spaces, except Sunday morning, see above. The Alta Court lot, across Lafayette from the church. Cars with a First Unitarian Church (FUSD) hangtag or paper parking pass on the dashboard, may park in the spaces farthest away from Colfax.
  • If you have any questions or need a parking pass, contact Rhonda at office@fusden.org. Parking passes can also be obtained from the Greeters on Sunday morning.

QuickDirectory

Questions About Pledging? Jason Marsden – stewardship@fusden.org

Candles of Community – candles@fusden.org

Caring Committee – caring@fusden.org

Volunteer Greeters – greeters@fusden.org

Connections Ministry – connectionsministry@fusden.org

Office/FirstAnnounce/Rhonda Williamson – office@fusden.org

Religious Exploration – Leslie Harvey – msleslie@fusden.org

Giving in Action – givinginaction@fusden.org

Mental Well-being – wellbeing@fusden.org

 Car Donations – 877-999-8322

 FirstAnnounce is a compilation of news items sent to us from many different sources. Items printed in FirstAnnounce are for your information only and do not necessarily represent the views of First Unitarian Society of Denver or its members. Publication deadline is 5:00pm on Tuesday.
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Sunday Worship,

January 12th, 2025

at 10:30 am

Supply and Demand

Rev. Mike Morran

Join us on January 12th at 10:30 am.  Spirituality and Economics are both esoteric enough to require models, containers, or metaphors to understand them. This Sunday we’ll have some fun exploring how these overlap, or not!

We warmly invite you to join us in person, or if you prefer, you can also participate online. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Our service streams to Youtube and Zoom (meeting ID is 466-677-668 and the password is 454623).

Join us for coffee in the Community Room after the service. 

Sunday, January 12 at noon – Congregational Meeting

(Thanks to Coral Cosway for the post)

Ordination of Lia Davis as Minister of Music!

First Unitarian will hold a special congregational meeting on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at noon in the Sanctuary. At this meeting, our congregation will vote on whether to ordain Lia Davis as our Minister of Music.

You can join via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86991196497

In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, the right of ordination, that is, the authority to ordain someone to the ministry, is reserved exclusively for local congregations. The Board of Trustees has authorized a special meeting to consider Lia’s ordination.

Lia has been doing extraordinary music ministry with us for nearly seventeen and a half years. Her musical gifts are obvious and deeply appreciated. She has also demonstrated personal gifts of presence and service far beyond the music she plans and performs. Lia has visited members who were homebound or in nursing homes to play for them. She has nurtured many relationships in the congregation. Also, during the pandemic she broadcast weekly musical improvisational meditations. The congregation has grown to love and trust her for the extraordinary ministry that her presence and music provides.

If the congregation votes to approve Lia’s ordination, it would be a powerful affirmation of her work with our church, changing her job title from Director of Music to Minister of Music. Her ordination would take place in the Spring.

Please plan to attend this special meeting on January 12. Similar to our annual meetings, we need a quorum of First Unitarian members at the meeting in order to vote. This meeting will be streamed with a Zoom link available so that those who wish to vote remotely will be able to do so.

Questions about the special meeting and the proposal to ordain Lia can be directed to Coral Cosway at President@fusden.org or 720-413-6298.

Miriam’s Book Table is Proud to Feature…

(Thanks to the Nan Wigington for the post)

new volunteers like you.

Not sure who or what Miriam’s book table is? We are the church’s “bookstore”. You probably see us on your way to service or to coffee hour. We’re there to help you to learn about our church and to spark connection and conversation. We carry a broad spectrum of books from the UUA and from secular publishers. We are a shoe string organization that relies on you. We need your patronage, your book suggestions, your volunteer time to staff our “store”. Won’t you please consider signing up for one or two shifts behind the table? You will be trained and appreciated!

Children’s Religious Exploration Programming

Religious Exploration News

(Thanks to the Leslie Harvey for the post)

Mark your calendars: Family Friendly Fun: Spontaneous Talent Show and potluck on February 1st 5:30-7:30 pm.

Do you know any middle schoolers who would be interested in our Youth Program? You can enroll them in Breeze with this form. Unfortunately, we do not have enough volunteers to start in January. Current projected start date for the Youth Program (6th-8th graders) is March 2nd. This will be updated as we recruit more volunteers.

Currently seeking volunteers who are interested in serving in our Youth classrooms! We are looking for folks to facilitate lessons on world religions and to facilitate student-led fun. If you are interested in investing in the future of FUSD by serving in our Youth program, please contact Leslie at msleslie@fusden.org or complete this form in Breeze to get the process started.

First Unitarian Events Coming Soon

Needed – Martin Luther King Day POINT Person

(Thanks to Peggy Ulrich-Nims for the post)

First Unitarian is on the lookout for an enthusiastic point person to spearhead the First Unitarian Society of Denver (FUSD) involvement in the 2025 MLK Day Marade on Monday, January 20, 2025. The Marade—a blend of a march and a parade—celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., combining the power of activism with the joy of community celebration. It’s a unique opportunity to honor his vision and unite with others in shared purpose and remembrance.

Interested or have questions? Contact Karen Derrick-Davis at Karenderrickdavis@gmail.com to learn more and volunteer. Here are a few things this volunteer will need to take care of!

Pre-Marade Duties

  1. Serve a pre-event contact person
  2. Select a time and place to meet (at FUSD or City Park)
  3. Obtain and assemble the church marching banner
  4. Publicize the Marade
  5. Provide contact cell number for participants

Day-of Marade Duties:

  1. Obtain assembled banner from First Unit Office
  2. Meet at designated spot and walk the Marade route
  3. Return banner to FUSD

Stewardship Ambassadors Needed!

(Thanks to Richard Erickson for the post)

Our Annual Pledge Campaign kicks off on February 23rd. This year we require ~50 Stewardship Ambassadors so we can contact every member and friend of FUSD. If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity with a minimal time commitment, this may be for you. You will be asked to contact 4-5 people to make sure they have received their pledge packets and answer their questions.

Find out more by visiting the Stewardship Council table in the Community Room after the service or contacting Jason at stewardship@fusden.org

Lunch Bunch Potluck – Friday, January 10th, at 11:45 am

Everyone is invited to our monthly potluck, Lunch Bunch, on the second Friday of the month. We gather at First Unitarian Society of Denver around 11:45 a.m. to set up, and we generally ring the lunch bell at 12. If you don’t have more than an hour, just come at noon and join us. The food is always delicious, and the company is stimulating.

Family CORE Circle

(Thanks to Beverly Bravo for the post)

Family friendly potluck and CORE Circle in which parents of school-age children may bond and form lasting friendships while their children are engaged in the sanctuary and gently supervised by older church members. Fun for everyone!!

The next meeting is Friday, January 17th at 6:00 pm in the Community Room.

Memorial – Ed and Jane Wasson

There will be a joint memorial for Jane and Ed Wasson on Saturday, January 25th at 1:00 pm here at First Unitarian of Denver.

Jane Wasson, a beloved member of First Unitary passed away on November 28. Jane’s husband Ed, passed away in February 2024. An obituary for Jane can be viewed here.

Mark Oblinger in Concert

(Thanks to Lia Davis for the post)

Capitol Hill Concerts presents Mark Oblinger on Saturday, January 25th at 7 pm. Mark will bring his soulful, eclectic blend of indie/folk/pop to First Unitarian’s sanctuary stage, along with very special guest vocalist Robert Johnson, singer/ keyboardist and co-writer Linda Lawson, eTown drummer/singer Christian Teele, bassist Eric Thorin, and multi-instrumentalist Eric Moon on lap steel, keys, accordion and vocals. A portion of the proceeds from this concert will benefit Food For Thought. Their vision is to create a community where weekend hunger is no longer a barrier to a child’s education and success. Read more & purchase tickets here.

Leadership Development Training – 1/26 and 2/9

(Thanks to Patrick Whorton and Tess Dieringer for the post)

PLEASE RSVP by JANUARY 19 for the Upcoming Leadership Training Sessions on January 26 and February 9 in the Rose Chapel from 12:00 to 2-2:30 pm.

Click this link to register: https://firstunitariandenver.breezechms.com/form/d4541295

This two-part training conducted by Rich Hogeboom will include:

• Running an Effective Meeting

• Managing Conflict

• Team Building

These sessions are interactive and designed for in-person participation, so they won’t be recorded or available virtually. All are welcome, so please RSVP no later than January 19 so we can plan accordingly.

Click here to register.

The Leadership Development Committee is working hard to provide meaningful training and support. We hope these efforts will build committee confidence, foster participation, and support our shared ministry philosophy.

Thank you for your dedication to this community and for being part of this journey with us!

In the Spirit of Shared Ministry,

Patrick Whorton and Tess Dieringer

Co-Chairs, Leadership Development Committee

Finding Yourself at First Unitarian Denver!

(Thanks to Rev. Mike Morran for the post)

A time for seekers, the curious, and those wishing to connect with the 1st Unitarian Denver community! This participatory class of three hours will provide an introduction to Unitarian Universalism and First Unitarian Church. An added bonus is that you will meet some wonderful people! Facilitated by Rev. Mike Morran, Saturday, February 1st, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. All are welcome, but you must pre-register with Rev. Mike (revmorran@gmail.com).

Announcements

FUSE Task Force Wants to Hear From You!

(Thanks to Leslie Harvey for the post)

The First Unitarian Seeking Engagement (FUSE) Task Force is working towards creating a more engaging culture for welcoming new members and visitors to FUSD. We are reaching out to all congregants for your feedback and ideas. If you have suggestions, please click on this form. You do not need to answer all of the questions; simply choose a few that resonate with you. Thank you!

Hiring – Maintenance/Custodian

First Unitarian Society of Denver is seeking a part-time Building Custodian (15 hours per week) to join our team starting in January 2025. Please click here to view the full job description.

To apply, submit cover letter and your resume to Rhonda Williamson at office@fusden.org.

Hiring – Interim Choir Director/Song Leader

(Thanks to Rev. Mike Morran for the post)

First Unitarian Society of Denver, an urban congregation of over 300 members, is looking to hire a part-time Interim Choir Director/Song Leader for the period of January through May, 2025. Our choir of 20-25 members rehearses weekly, and performs twice each month at Sunday morning services. Experience conducting choirs, and the ability to work collaboratively with a small staff team is essential. This position is approximately 14 hours per week and includes Sunday mornings. Applicants are encouraged to respond as soon as possible. Please send a resume and brief cover letter to Revmorran@gmail.com. A full job description is available HERE

Labyrinth

(Thanks to Coral Cosway for the post)

Dennis Grogan and Tina Proctor have generously donated their large labyrinth to our community. Members, friends and visitors of FUSD have experienced walking the labyrinth, as well as expert guidance from Dennis and Tina, during many services and events. We are honored to give this beautiful labyrinth a new home. If you are interested in using it for your event at FUSD, please contact Rhonda Williamson at office@fusden.org. Thank you Dennis and Tina! [photo attached – this is in the sanctuary prior to the renovation]

Local Unitarian Universalists News

Sacred Earth, Sacred Action

Saturday, February 8th, 1-7 pm MST and Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 7-8:30 pm. Iliff School of Theology, Shattuck Hall

Sacred Earth, Sacred Action (SESA), brings together environmental scientists, theologians, poets, and faith leaders to inspire meaningful change within communities of faith and activism in the Rocky Mountains and beyond.

In person and live-streamed. Register here.

The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community

Unitarian Universalist Holiday Message

The Unitarian Unitarian Association December Newsletter click here.

We Gather With Love: A Holiday Message From UUA President Sofía Betancourt
video

Pacific Western Region – Happy Holidays

The Pacific Western Region of the Unitarian Universalists, Holiday Blog.

The Pacific Western Region staff wish you, your family, and communities a very Happy Holidays! Your presence in our world is a blessing! May the season be a blessing to you!

The UUA will be closed December 20th-January 5th- we will be back at work on January 6th. If there is an emergency, please send an email to your primary contact which will give you who to contact during the holiday or complete our Partnership Activation Request form.

If you would like to start thinking about 2025 consider checking out our Community Resilience Hub. It has great resources, tools, and general support for your congregation and community.

We will bring more opportunities for connection and support in the new year with our spring program: Responding to Now: A PWR Series which will have one session each month on a topic responding to the challenges of our current times.

May you find love and connection this holiday season!

Sunshine, Hara, Melanie, Mylo, Melissa, Sam, Sarah, Summer, and Tania

UUCW Trip to NYC

(Thanks to Kathy Glatz for the post)

UN Spring Seminar During Commission on Status of Women (CSW). March 15-16, 2025 in NYC

Led by International Convocation of UU Women (ICUUW) deadline registration:1/15/25.

Zoom session on Friday, Dec 6, 10 am EST which will give you more information and offer a chance to ask questions about the seminar, CSW, and registration.

Email questions to springseminar2025@icuuw.

First Unitarian Society of Denver Information

First Unitarian – Hearing Assistance in Sanctuary

Our Sanctuary has a hearing loop. This allows us to better serve the people in our community who have trouble hearing. If you are hearing impaired, you will be able to hear what is said at the worship services and other events with better clarity.

What is a hearing loop and how does it work? Hearing Loops allow people who wear hearing aids to directly receive the sound from the PA system to their own hearing aids, much like Wi-Fi for laptops. To hear better, you will no longer have to pick up a separate listening device!

Do my hearing aids work in a loop?If you wear hearing instruments you will need to find out if they have this wireless receiver, called a T-coil or Telecoil, built in to benefit from the hearing loop. The T-coil program is accessed by pushing a button on your hearing aid. This T-coil setting has to be activated before use. Please consult your audiologist if you have a push button on your hearing aids. If your hearing aid is not equipped with a T-coil, or you do not have a hearing aid: we have listening devices available, simply ask a member of our staff.

For more information: www.hearingloop.org. For questions about your hearing aids, please visit your audiologist. For questions about our hearing loop system, please email: Assist2Hear. Inc at: info@assist2hear.com.

First Unitarian – Calendaring and Room Reservations

(Thanks to Rhonda Williamson, Congregational Administrator, for the post)

To Request an event addition to the First Unitarian calendar and to request a room reservation:

  • To add a meeting or event to the Church Calendar and reserve a room:
  1. Check the church calendar on the website to see if there are any conflicts. There is a link on each page of the website in the black area at the bottom, under ‘Useful links’
  2. Complete the following form to request that your event be added to the calendar and to request a room reservation. https://firstunitariandenver.breezechms.com/form/45698258 

First Unitarian – Communication Methods How To’s

(Thanks to Rhonda Williamson, Congregational Administrator, for the post)

First Announce: A weekly church newsletter sent out by blast email Thursday evenings. (Also found on the website.) Deadline for entries is Tuesday end of day. 

Order of Service: The handout given at each Sunday service – giving service details, and upcoming church events Request deadline is Thursday at 8:00 am.

Please complete the form at the link below to submit announcements for either or both First Announce and Order of Service – select both options on the form. https://firstunitariandenver.breezechms.com/form/e50206

Parking

Finding a place to park when you come to visit our urban sanctuary can be a bit of a challenge! We recommend the following tactics/locations:

  • Sundays 6a-1p: 3 blocks of the north side of 14th Avenue (Marion St. to just before Franklin St. – please abide by the street parking signs)
  • Sundays 6a-1p: The Center at Colfax and Lafayette
  • Sundays 6a-1p: (42 parking spaces) The Alta Court lot, across Lafayette from the church. Cars with a First Unitarian Church (FUSD) hangtag or paper parking pass on the dashboard, may park in the spaces farthest away from Colfax.
  • Monday through Friday, 6 pm to 8 am: (22 parking spaces) The Alta Court lot, across Lafayette from the church. Cars with a First Unitarian Church (FUSD) hangtag or paper parking pass on the dashboard, may park in the spaces farthest away from Colfax.
  • Friday 6 pm to Monday 8 am (22 parking spaces, except Sunday morning, see above. The Alta Court lot, across Lafayette from the church. Cars with a First Unitarian Church (FUSD) hangtag or paper parking pass on the dashboard, may park in the spaces farthest away from Colfax.
  • If you have any questions or need a parking pass, contact Rhonda at office@fusden.org. Parking passes can also be obtained from the Greeters on Sunday morning.

QuickDirectory

Questions About Pledging? Jason Marsden – stewardship@fusden.org

Candles of Community – candles@fusden.org

Caring Committee – caring@fusden.org

Volunteer Greeters – greeters@fusden.org

Connections Ministry – connectionsministry@fusden.org

Office/FirstAnnounce/Rhonda Williamson – office@fusden.org

Religious Exploration – Leslie Harvey – msleslie@fusden.org

Giving in Action – givinginaction@fusden.org

Mental Well-being – wellbeing@fusden.org

 Car Donations – 877-999-8322

 FirstAnnounce is a compilation of news items sent to us from many different sources. Items printed in FirstAnnounce are for your information only and do not necessarily represent the views of First Unitarian Society of Denver or its members. Publication deadline is 5:00pm on Tuesday.
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